Sarasota Ballet Of Florida Inc

Programs: An art form beyond words that touches us deeply, ballet pulls us all into a world of beauty and grace. For over twenty-five years, the sarasota ballet has led our community in the celebration of dance enriching lives with breath taking productions and visionary educational programs. This exciting artistic force has achieved stature and recognition following its mission to be a major resident company presenting the highest quality fo classical and comtemporary dance.

dance - the next generation is a ten-year full-scholarship program for at-risk children. With an average annual enrollment of 150 students, dance - the next generation's design is to prevent children in the sarasota community, between the ages of 8-18, from dropping out of school. The children who complete the rigorous ten-year training may qualify to receive a four year college scholarship (two years at state college of florida, and two years at university of south florida, sarasota) to study any subject of their choosing. Additionally, the ballet provides transportation, instruction, and dancewear at no cost to the family. The program provides a safe haven for these children to improve their self-esteem, to learn responsibility and discipline, gain confidence, and above all to learn that no matter what their socio-economic status is, they can achieve anything they want in life. Before entering the program, the children are faced with a great deal of social, cultural and academic challenges, but as they progress through the program, they learn the skills that are needed to become well-rounded, productive and involved members of the community. Dance - the next generation prides itself on being the only program of its kind that takes at-risk children and nurtures them for ten years, while at the same time prepares them to take on the role of responsibility of becoming productive citizens. We have found that as the students progress, most of them become honor roll students and maintain between a 3. 7 and 4. 0 grade point average. Students have also been recognized in the community and have received awards such as the rotary club's award for outstanding young citizen in our community, accepted into the black achievers program and have been valedictorian of their graduating class.

the sarasota ballet's education department provides opportunities for all abilities and ages to dance. The sarasota ballet school provides professional instruction for students from 3 years of age to adults, offering the very best in training by our exceptionally qualified faculty. The margaret barbieri conservatory is a pre-professional program, attracting students from across the nation and abroad to study under the sarasota ballet's experienced eyes. The sarasota ballet's international intensive is an enriching 5 week program for the aspiring professional dancer that offers students an elite training program in a professional and supportive environment with special international guest faculty.